February 26th, 2017 ― Doha: Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS) held a regional workshop on the "Auxiliary Role of National Societies in the Humanitarian Field: Opportunities and Challenges". February 26th, 2017 ― Doha: Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS) held a regional workshop on the "Auxiliary Role of National Societies in the Humanitarian Field: Opportunities and Challenges". The two-day event is co-organized by Qatar's Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities (RACA), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The workshop is attended by top officials of QRCS, including Vice-President, Dr. Aisha Youssef Al-Mannai, Secretary-General, Ali Hassan Al-Hammadi, Executive Director, Youssef Ahmed Al-Hammadi, Head of International Relations, Dr. Fawzi Oussedik, and several heads of department. Among the attendance were representatives of RACA, IFRC, ICRC, the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO), Qatar's Ministry of Public Health, and the King Salman Center for Humanitarian Aid and Relief. Also, delegations of the National Societies of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman were present. During the opening ceremony, Mr. Al-Hammadi said, "One of the major challenges facing humanitarian action is the misunderstanding of the auxiliary role of National Societies, which are widely seen as government arms with undeclared political agendas. This wrong perception has put many relief workers at risk". "National Societies are humanitarian organizations governed by fundamental principles to ensure autonomy. They are not engaged in any political conflict of interest, and their sole focus is on humanity. Our fundamental principles are what guides our work. We serve no political schemes or goals that are detrimental to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement's code of conduct," he added. Mr. Al Mahmoud stated, "A decade ago, the world was not as it is now. There is a need to a government regulatory system that helps humanitarian providers achieve their mission. Our job is not to regulate or monitor humanitarians, but rather to protect and defend them against any unjustifiable accusations". The humanitarian work environment, Al Mahmoud noted, requires a higher level of prudence, transparency, governance, and neutrality.